After a two-year battle to receive the condition score of every Victorian Government School, Victorians can finally see the state of Victoria’s education system and the failing by the Allan Labor Government.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe said it is appalling that one in five schools are in poor condition and almost two out of three are below the State average rating system.
“Families expect schools to be adequately maintained and to be provided with fit for purpose facilities for their children,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
The alarming findings have been released following a two-year Freedom of Information battle with the Allan Labor Government, which forced the release of School Condition Assessment Scores for Victorian Government Schools by the Nationals and Liberals.
The scores range from zero to five and assess the condition of school buildings and infrastructure, including unresolved maintenance issues, defects and damage across classrooms, grounds and facilities.
Ms O’Keeffe said many schools in the Shepparton electorate are listed below the 5-star rating and are in a “desperate” need of investment.
“The Allan Labor Government should be prioritising the needs of our schools as a priority.
“It is clear that the government has their priorities all wrong.
“The poor state of many schools come as the Allan Labor Government has failed to deliver upgrades promised to 89 schools by November 2026 and it is disgraceful that they cut $2.4 billion from education funding in the 2024-25 State Budget.
“This government’s disastrous financial mismanagement and wasteful spending on city-centric projects with billions in cost blow outs is now impacting on our schools and our students and teachers are the ones who have to suffer with run down facilities and the lack of investment needed.
“The government have been caught out and now must ensure adequate funding for our schools as a matter of priority.
“The Allan Labor Government can’t manage money, can’t manage education and Victorians are paying the price.”
